Just a few minutes ago, as I walked into my kitchen, I was greeted with the aroma of a fragrant flower called “Evening Stock” (Matthiola longipetala bicornis).
Around four months ago, I planted a few Evening Stock seeds in the inside window box in the kitchen window. The plant grew rapidly and in no time at all, it began to blossom which releases a lovely scent into the room. The only problem is that the blooms can close up during the day and open at night, so the scent is only available at night (thus “Evening”). I happen to be a night person though and enjoy this flower.
Only one little plant can fill one or more rooms with it's scent. When strong (depending on how many blooms), the scent may seema bit spicy, but still quite flora. Here is a link with a little more information along with a picture of the flower:
http://www.flowerscentgardens.com/matthiolaevening.htm
I have purchased thousands of seeds for this and other scented flowers on eBay. Last seeds I purchased, I paid $0.79 for 2,700 seeds. The seeds are quite small and I usually sow many of them at a time and simply thin them down.
These plants make great hanging baskets and can grow inside or out. Plan to plant dozens of plants outside under the windows! Kind of like having lilacs all summer long ;)